SUMMIT COUNTY – For the 27th year in a row, Summit County has received high marks for its financial reporting.

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) awarded Summit County a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, the highest form of recognition in the area of government accounting and financial reporting. According to GFOA, attainment of the certificate “represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.”

“We’re stewards of Summit County tax dollars, and we take that responsibility very seriously,” Summit County Finance Director Marty Ferris said. “The fact that we’ve received this award every year for almost three decades is a testament to our commitment to accountability, transparency and fiscal responsibility.”

The award is based on a governmental entity’s comprehensive annual financial report. The reports are judged by an impartial panel to meet GFOA financial reporting standards, including demonstration of a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate the agency’s financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report.

GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving approximately 17,500 government finance professionals, with offices in Chicago and Washington, D.C.